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Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
31(31%)
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25(25%)
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44(44%)
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100 reviews
July 15,2025
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Black and White are engaged in a profound discussion about God, Suffering, Death, and the Sunset Limited. This novel or play immediately brings to mind Beckett's Waiting for Godot, Hesse's Siddhartha, and Wiesel's The Trial of God.

The Sunset Limited indeed has moments of intense brilliance, emotional resonance, and spiritual affirmation. However, these are followed by pages filled with lonely darkness, cold, and existential despair. While it is engaging, especially the dialogue, it fails to be truly novel or transformative. Similar to Waiting for Godot, Siddhartha, and The Trial of God, the Sunset Limited seems a bit too didactic.

In the end, it comes across as a minor work by McCarthy, simply playing with ideas of the twilight. It doesn't quite reach the heights of those other masterpieces, lacking that certain something that would make it a truly great and unforgettable piece of literature.

Perhaps with a bit more depth and originality, the Sunset Limited could have been a more significant contribution to the literary canon. As it stands, it is an interesting but ultimately somewhat flawed exploration of some of life's most profound questions.
July 15,2025
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Letto letteralmente in un paio d’ore filate,

a partita a scacchi dialettica tra un nero e un bianco (da qui gli scacchi).

The game unfolds in a captivating manner, with the black and white pieces engaged in a strategic battle.

The moves are calculated, each one potentially changing the course of the game.

As the minutes tick by, the tension builds.

The players are fully immersed in the game, their minds focused on outwitting their opponents.

And then, just like in every book by McCarthy, the finale is a beautiful mazzata.

A stunning conclusion that leaves the reader in awe and satisfaction.

It's a game that showcases the beauty and complexity of chess, and a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
July 15,2025
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Dio tace.

You are the Black, a reborn believer in whose head there is not a single thought that does not smell of divinity. You are the White, a rational atheist who has lost any interest in a life that is supposed to be without purpose. Certainly, it will not be God who gives you the answers you seek.

And at the end of a dialogue that probes all the emotions of the human soul, the Black will implore God to give him the words, and the White will return to pursue his destiny, whatever it may be.

A masterful McCarthy.

McCarthy's work here is truly remarkable. He delves deep into the human psyche, exploring the profound questions of faith, doubt, and the meaning of life. The contrast between the Black and the White is鲜明, representing two极端不同的 worldviews. Through their dialogue, we are forced to confront our own beliefs and question the very nature of our existence. McCarthy's writing is powerful and evocative, drawing us in and making us思考 long after we have finished reading. It is a work that will stay with you, challenging you to reevaluate your own perspective on life and the divine.
July 15,2025
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IL BIANCO MUOVE, SCACCO MORTO IN DUE MOSSE

The story unfolds with only two characters, the White and the Black, constantly on the scene. They have no other names but these. One addresses the other as 'tu', calls him 'professor' or'sugar', while the other remains attached to a more formal 'you'. But in my opinion, it's the one I call the 'professor of darkness, of death disguised as day' who wins the game.



The TV movie from 2011, directed by Tommy Lee Jones himself, features Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones. It adheres to the unity of time and place. The set design is stripped down to the bare bones. There is only dialogue, one speaks and the other responds, more or less. It has the appearance of a theatrical piece just waiting to be staged. However, it doesn't seem to have been adapted yet.



The themes explored include life and death, God and Jesus, the Bible, suicide, and pain. It's like walking on the blade of a razor, just a little slip and you can get hurt. The HBO film is of high quality. But McCarthy approaches the theme with rhythm, mastery, and even verve. The true winner of the game is indeed him.



On October 2, 2011, I added a star because this text gave rise to a magnificent screen adaptation (for television! but it's HBO, the television that revolutionized television). Samuel Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones, two titans, and the 'white' is also the director. Hats off and a bow.

July 15,2025
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The Sunset Limited is a passenger train that runs between New Orleans and Los Angeles. The author transformed it into the subway in New York.

One of the two characters (white) is precisely pursuing it and chooses to commit suicide. For the other character (black), this idea seems completely wrong and wonderful...

This is an existential conversation - "battle" - between two men with completely different beliefs.

I had already been bored with the story, but the ending forced me to change my opinion about this book fundamentally.

The book's subtitle proclaims: a novel in dramatic form, but for me, it is truly the most real drama (play). Here is the information in case someone doesn't like this form.

‘Black I guess you don’t want to be happy.
White Happy?
Black Yeah. What’s wrong with happy?
White God help us. ‘

...

By the way, there is also a film with the same name.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1510938/
July 15,2025
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Pared down and packed with substance, this piece is truly a gem. It not only offers profound insights but also has a touch of dark, dark humour to boot.

Can written dialogues get any better? Well, it seems we are in a merciless vortex of hope and nihilism. The chaotic voices in my head are constantly debating. Am I moved? Or am I depressed?

Maybe I'm just fast becoming a McCarthy fan. His unique style and ability to capture the essence of human nature in such a raw and unfiltered way is truly captivating.

As I delve deeper into this world of his creation, I find myself more and more intrigued. The characters, the settings, the dialogues - all come together to create a vivid and unforgettable experience.

Whether it's the sense of despair or the glimmer of hope that shines through, McCarthy's work has a way of leaving a lasting impression. And I can't wait to see where this journey takes me next.
July 15,2025
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A short book that is crafted in the form of a one-act play. In its entirety, it presents an epic discussion between two characters regarding religion, faith, good, evil, life, and death. The dialogue within this play is extremely intense, exhibiting a typical Cormac McCarthy's style. It has the power to make you deeply think about these profound and complex topics. As you engage with the dialogue, it leaves you with a sense that the world might indeed be a really crappy place. The way the two characters debate and explore these ideas forces you to confront the harsh realities and ambiguities that exist in our world. It challenges your preconceived notions and makes you question the very fabric of our existence. This short book, through its intense and thought-provoking dialogue, offers a unique and powerful exploration of some of the most fundamental aspects of human life.

July 15,2025
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The Sunset Limited only has two characters, unnamed, denominated by the stereotypes they represent (not only a matter of skin). One of them, called White, attempts suicide by throwing himself onto the tracks of the train called Sunset Limited. Black saves him and takes him to his apartment in an area characterized by drug trafficking and violent situations, in a neighborhood of New York (ghetto). At this moment, a debate begins between them. As they get to know each other and clash because of their way of thinking and philosophy of life, we also get to know the dramas they lived, what situation marked them to adopt their beliefs.

At the beginning, it shocked me that he created two characters of this style, so attached to the stereotypes, but then, the debate becomes intense and the end seemed great to me.

What would have happened if the professor had been the "Black"?
July 15,2025
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Thought provoking piece.

I had the opportunity to watch this on HBO, featuring the talented Samuel L Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones. The moment I saw it, I was completely captivated.

Their performances were outstanding, bringing the story to life in a truly remarkable way.

Afterward, I decided to pick up the book, and I'm glad to say it didn't disappoint.

The written word added an extra layer of depth and detail to the already engaging narrative.

It allowed me to explore the characters and their motives even further, and I found myself lost in the story for hours on end.

This is definitely a piece of work that will stay with me for a long time, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and entertaining experience.
July 15,2025
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Audiobooked.

This was a remarkably quick read, yet another one with an interesting form. I have a penchant for the dramatic style, and this story was masterfully written. Despite taking place between just two characters and essentially within one room for the entire duration, it was incredibly substantial.

I have a strong desire to delve deeper into this, to analyze it from both the White and Black perspectives. There is an abundance of depth and complexity within this narrative. In the end, I find myself truly pondering the question of who is hurting more. However, that seems almost trivial, doesn't it? One cannot quantify someone's pain or their grief. Nevertheless, these two individuals each appear to be suffocating in their respective emotions. I'm not sure - it's super thought-provoking and of the perfect size for several more read-throughs.

This was my first encounter with McCarthy's work, and it will most definitely not be my last.
July 15,2025
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This is the best play I've ever had the pleasure of reading.

It truly stands out among all the works I've come across.

If you have a penchant for philosophical novels, then this play is an absolute must-read.

The depth of the ideas presented within its pages is simply astonishing.

It makes you think deeply about life, existence, and the human condition.

The characters are well-developed and their interactions add another layer of complexity to the story.

The plot is engaging and keeps you hooked from start to finish.

Overall, I would毫不犹豫地 give this play a full 5 stars.

It is a masterpiece that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

I highly recommend it to all lovers of literature and those who are seeking a thought-provoking read.

July 15,2025
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One of the most beautiful and poignant dialogues that I have ever read!

BLANCO (…) Why, is your life as you had expected?

NERO Not at all. I have had what I needed instead of what I wanted, and this is roughly the greatest fortune in the world.

This dialogue seems to touch on a profound truth about life. Often, we have certain expectations and desires, but in the end, what we actually receive may be something completely different. However, as Nero points out, having what we need can sometimes be a greater blessing than getting what we want. It makes us realize that fortune is not always measured by the fulfillment of our desires, but by the presence of what is truly essential for our well-being. This simple yet powerful exchange of words leaves a lasting impression and makes us reflect on our own perspectives on life and fortune.
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